BANGALORE: On Saturday evening the apathy of the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) and the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) reached amazing heights, as they failed to respond to an emergency situation and the excuse they gave was-it’s a holiday (second Saturday). The situation was so bad that the Traffic police themselves got down and got their hands dirty in trying to divert the water from an open pit which had got onto the main Vattal Nagraj Road and halted the traffic for over 2 hours. The effect was felt as far as the Shivananda Circle where commuters were stuck in the jam for over 45 minutes. The bone of contention is the choked sewage pit right next to the Shani Mahatma Temple on the same road just before the Railway Bridge and City Express in its report dated 28th March 2012 had bought this to the notice of the authorities concerned about the problems faced by the commuters and pedestrians, but in vain. Because both the BBMP and BWSSB were busy passing the buck at each other. BBMP Chief Engineer (West Zone) M Rangaraj had told, “This issue comes under the purview of the BWSSB as the water overflowing is sewage water.” When we contacted the Assistant Executive Engineer (Central Sub Division) of BWSSB Narasaiah, he visited the spot and said, “We haven’t received any complaints regarding this pit or water overflowing from this. But, since you have bought it to my notice, I will look into the matter and do the needful.”The irony of this situation would remind one of the statement by Mayor D Venkatesh Murthy just 3 days back, claiming that the BBMP was geared up to face the coming rainy months and that the control rooms, praharis and the forest squad are well equipped to tackle emergencies.But, this incident reflected the poor response of the control room in tackling emergencies and total apathy.ACP Nagraj, Traffic Police, Malleshwaram, said, “I have been trying to call both the BBMP and the BWSSB since morning. But, no one has responded. I called the Control Room and they asked me to call back on Monday since today is a holiday for them, being a second Saturday. I am surprised at the response. If this would be their response, imagine their reaction to the general public.” Echoing the same sentiment, Sub-inspector, Traffic Police, Malleshwaram, MN Srinivasa and Sub-inspector Shivaramaiah said, “We are fed up of complaining to the authorities. For years together, we are facing this nuisance but they just don’t seem to care. If this is the situation now, imagine the plight of the commuters when it actually starts raining heavily.” Police constables along with a labourer were seen digging holes trying to divert flowing water. Constable Gurushanth said, “It took us over an hour in trying to clear this road. Water had reached the other side of the road and it was almost knee-deep. We are dreading the monsoons now. Are we supposed to control the traffic or do this work?”Other than the overflowing pit, the footpath slabs are broken completely and the drains are filled with water, hence leaving the pedestrians no choice but to use the road.Subash Nagar corporator Mallesh couldn’t be reached for comments though BWSSB engineer-in-chief Venkata Raju assured us that he will inform the concerned as he is only in charge of the South division. We will have to wait and watch the further course of actions by the authorities concerned.
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